The accrediting bodies for medical educational programs in the United States and Canada, and their sponsors, are committed to advancing medical education accreditation to meet the future health care needs in each of our countries. A joint Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)/Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS) accreditation process for Canadian medical schools which was put into place eight years ago will conclude in September 2021.

After extensive discussion, the decision was made to implement separate processes going forward in which the CACMS will assume independent accreditation of Canadian medical education programs and the LCME will continue to accredit medical education programs in the United States. The LCME and the CACMS, as well as their American and Canadian sponsors, look forward to continuing a working relationship to share ideas on accreditation innovations and high value solutions while also considering the unique Canadian and United States contexts.

The LCME is sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Medical Association (AMA) and the CACMS is sponsored by the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) and the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). The LCME and the CACMS ensure the high quality of medical education programs and have each received full independent recognition from the World Federation on Medical Education as the accreditation bodies for the US and Canada, respectively. In addition, the LCME is fully recognized by and reports to the US Department of Education.

CACMS                                                                      LCME

Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada        Association of American Medical Colleges

Canadian Medical Association                                   American Medical Association